Monty Tech JROTC program wins national honors

Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School's Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program has been given the designation of "Best Practices" by the Marine Corps' national program director.

James R. Culkeen, Monty Tech Superintendent-Director, was invited to serve as keynote speaker at the Marine Corps' annual New Instructors' Orientation Conference held this summer in Quantico, Va.

"This program works because of the caliber of our students," said 1st Sgt. Paul A. Jornet, who is the senior Marine instructor at Monty Tech. "We continue to grow in enrollment because we have a high number of students who are very patriotic, and who want to learn more about leadership and civic responsibility."

Monty Tech's leadership program is an elective course. Participants, who are referred to as cadets, attend one period of instruction per day during their academic week.

Last year, the students collectively amassed more than 2,000 community service hours working on projects in the school and in neighboring communities. They also raised more that $7,000 through a variety of fundraising projects, for Monty Tech's Student Assistance Fund. The fund, a pet project of the corps, helps students and families who are victims of fires and other disasters with funds for housing and the other essential expenses.

"It has had a great impact on my life," program member Kristi Thibault said. "It gives me the opportunity to help my fellow cadets, who in turn help our community."